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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Gordon Murray and Toray Industries Build Carbon-Fiber Electric Sports Car

Gordon Murray Design Limited and Toray Industries Inc has announce a prototype electric sports car named TEEWAVE AR.1 The AR.1 had an internal GMD code number of ' T.32' and the car is the result of a commission from Toray for Gordon Murray Design to design, tool and build a fully functioning prototype vehicle which utilizes many of Toray's advanced automotive materials in order to achieve Toray's basic concept of an attractive vehicle for everyone.

The 2-seater sports car is designed to use the Toray carbon fibers component system with a process time of less than 10 minutes. A carbon monocoque, one of the key technologies of TEEWAVE, can be applied to all types of vehicle other than the 2-seater sports car.

The entire programme from concept discussions to running vehicle took just 9 months and was delivered on target, both in terms of cost and final handover. The power train in the vehicle are the base components used in one of the commercial electric vehicles currently available, but the unique electrical architecture and control units were developed by Gordon Murray Design.

A carbon front crash structure was designed and developed for the car. A Full vehicle Euro Ncap O.D.B test was simulated in addition to a rigid barrier dynamic impact. A correlation process was conducted on the front crash structure for both half energy and full energy using physical tests. Quasi -static bend and torsion analysis was also conducted.

The AR.1 has a remarkably low weight of just 850kg (including the 240kg battery) putting the car firmly in Lotus Elise territory and some 400kg lighter than a Tesla. The ultimate performance is limited by an output figure of 47kw but a torque of 180 Nm available from a standing start results in lively acceleration.

DuPont Wins Trade Secret Case against Kolon Industries

DuPont has won a civil lawsuit for $919.9 million in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Richmond, Va., against Kolon Industries, with the jury finding that Kolon stole trade secrets and confidential information regarding DuPontTM Kevlar aramid fiber. Kolon, a South Korea-based company, was found liable for misappropriation of trade secrets, and the jury found that its actions were willful and malicious.

“Today’s jury decision is an enormous victory for global intellectual property protection and the millions of users of DuPont Kevlar technology and products,” said Thomas L. Sager, senior vice president and general counsel of DuPont. “The size of this award is one of the largest in defense of business processes and technologies. It also sends a message to potential thieves of intellectual property that DuPont will pursue all legal remedies to protect our significant investment in research and development and our proprietary information for the benefit of our shareholders and customers.”

“Companies around the world are facing a significant challenge to protect trade secrets and intellectual property,” said Thomas G. Powell, president, DuPont Protection Technologies. “DuPont, as a market-driven science company, has devoted more than 40 years and considerable investment to researching and refining Kevlar to make it the world’s most trusted aramid fiber.”

DuPont will ask the trial judge to impose injunctive relief requiring Kolon to return DuPont’s proprietary information and to stop manufacturing and selling products made from that information. DuPont also expects to recover its attorney’s fees from Kolon.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ATK Delivers First Composite Satellite Structures and Tanks for Air Force GPS III Satellites

ATK delivered the first two A2100 composite satellite structures and the first ship set of propellant tanks for the GPS III satellites Lockheed Martin is building for the U.S. Air Force. This is the first major hardware delivery milestone in the program, which has been underway since ATK was awarded the contract from Lockheed Martin in April 2010.

The contract includes the fabrication of a non-flight satellite test bed structure and the first two GPS III satellite structures. The test bed structure was delivered May 9 and the first space vehicle structure was delivered August 4. The first ship set of tanks were also delivered in early August. Each ship set includes one hydrazine, two oxidizer, and two pressurant tanks. The contract includes options for the same hardware for up to 10 additional satellites. The GPS III structure, made from lightweight, high-strength composite materials, and the propellant tanks were delivered to Lockheed Martin's Mississippi Space & Technology Center, an advanced propulsion, thermal, and metrology facility located at the John C. Stennis Space Center, for integration and testing.

"The GPS III program continues to meet major milestones on or ahead of schedule, and the delivery of the core structure and propellant tanks for the first GPS III space vehicle is another achievement demonstrating this program's solid execution," said Lt Col Don Frew, the U.S. Air Force's GPS III program manager. "The joint U.S. Air Force and industry team understands the importance of GPS III and we are focused on delivering capabilities to meet the demands of more than one billion GPS users worldwide."

ATK has been manufacturing A2100 structures and propellant tanks for Lockheed Martin since the satellite model was introduced in 1996 for the company's commercial satellite customers. The composite structures are manufactured at ATK's San Diego, CA facility, with support from the ATK Beltsville, MD operation, and the propellant tanks are manufactured in ATK's Commerce, CA facility.

DuPont Wins Trade Secret Case against Kolon Industries

DuPont has won a civil lawsuit for $919.9 million in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Richmond, Va., against Kolon Industries, with the jury finding that Kolon stole trade secrets and confidential information regarding DuPontTM Kevlar aramid fiber. Kolon, a South Korea-based company, was found liable for misappropriation of trade secrets, and the jury found that its actions were willful and malicious.

“Today’s jury decision is an enormous victory for global intellectual property protection and the millions of users of DuPont Kevlar technology and products,” said Thomas L. Sager, senior vice president and general counsel of DuPont. “The size of this award is one of the largest in defense of business processes and technologies. It also sends a message to potential thieves of intellectual property that DuPont will pursue all legal remedies to protect our significant investment in research and development and our proprietary information for the benefit of our shareholders and customers.”

“Companies around the world are facing a significant challenge to protect trade secrets and intellectual property,” said Thomas G. Powell, president, DuPont Protection Technologies. “DuPont, as a market-driven science company, has devoted more than 40 years and considerable investment to researching and refining Kevlar to make it the world’s most trusted aramid fiber.”

DuPont will ask the trial judge to impose injunctive relief requiring Kolon to return DuPont’s proprietary information and to stop manufacturing and selling products made from that information. DuPont also expects to recover its attorney’s fees from Kolon.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Value Chain Analysis of Boeing: Market Shipment Value at OEM Level to Reach $26.68 Billion by 2016

In calendar year 2010, total market shipment value at OEM level for Boeing 787 was US$1.11 billion and market at this level is expected to reach $26.68 billion by 2016 with a CAGR of 166% over the next five years.

Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm, has analyzed the Boeing 787 value chain and published a comprehensive research report, “Value Chain Analysis of Boeing 787.”

Boeing found itself in the crucial situation of having lost market share to Airbus. Boeing had to act in response by enhancing customer benefits to recapture an advantage over its competitors. The fundamental idea was an innovative renovation in the supply chain process, which would redefine Boeing’s role as a coordinator and integrator rather than simply the manufacturer. At the heart of the supply chain transformation process was the strategy to outsource more than 70% of the 787’s production.

Boeing introduced new project management techniques by sharing risk with partners. The companies sharing risk transformed the entire 787 program. It is the first time in the aerospace industry that the risk at the OEM level is shared by the Tier I suppliers of the company. This has created high economic value for Boeing. The risk shared by partners in investing their own capital in the 787 program cut approximately 55% of Boeing’s development cost required for the program, which is US $6 billion.

Boeing’s outsourcing process has dramatically reduced the manufacturing time from roughly two weeks to as little as three days. Saving such significant time greatly decreases labor and inventory costs for the company as outsourced components reach the assembly site with pre-fitted sub-systems. This approach streamlines and adds efficiencies to the assembly process.

This Lucintel research report provides insights regarding the global aerospace industry and Boeing, in addition to a supply chain and value chain analysis of Boeing. The report also addresses market forecast and lessons learned from the 787 project.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on this timely and insightful report, please contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at helpdesk@lucintel.com. Lucintel provides cutting-edge decision support services that help you make critical decisions with greater speed, insight, and cost efficiency. To find out more, please visit http://www.lucintel.com.

ELG Invests in the Recycling of Carbon Fiber

With effect of September 21st, 2011, ELG Haniel GmbH of Duisburg (Germany) (ELG) has acquired 100% of the shares in Recycled Carbon Fiber Ltd. (RCF). RCF is the first company worldwide commercially operating in the field of recycling carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and the reclamation and processing of carbon fiber.

The company has its corporate seat in Coseley, West Midlands (UK). The commercial reclamation of carbon fiber was initiated by the former shareholder Roy Price, who has over the period of ten years steadily developed the project to marketability. In 2009 RCF set up its UK facility for the reclamation of carbon-fiber on a commercial scale and, thus, became the pioneer in this market segment.

The acquisition of this young recycling company provides ELG with new growth potential in the rising market for composite materials. It enables ELG to implement a sustainable and ecological concept for the reclamation of carbon-fiber by means of its patent protected technology. The feedstock material is to a large extent waste from the manufacturing processes of CFRP, which previously had to be either incinerated or sent to land-fill.

The company will be supervised by the present MD Stephen Line and will operate under the name of ELG Carbon Fiber Ltd. In close co-operation with the RCF management team, ELG will further explore the new business segment of carbon fiber and is confident to expand it to a global group in this future-oriented industry.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Lucintel’s Analysis of Natural Fiber Composites Market: Automotive to Drive Usage through 2016

Natural fiber composites—a subject of intensive technical research—are becoming more prevalent in use because of increasing environmental awareness and the materials’ relatively low cost and low density. The demand for component materials that are durable, reliable, lightweight, and with excellent mechanical properties is fueling the growing demand for natural fiber in various industries such as automotive and building and construction. The natural fiber composite materials market is expected to grow to US $531.3 million in 2016 with an 11% CAGR over the next five years.

In its new market study, Lucintel analyzes and presents its findings in its report “Natural Fiber Composites Market Trend and Forecast 2011–2016: Trend, Forecast and Opportunity Analysis.”

Lucintel’s research indicates that the application of natural fiber composites has increased and is gaining preference over glass fiber. Increasing use of natural fiber composites in automotive applications is driving the market. Indeed, automotive is expected to remain the largest market through 2016. Several automotive components are now produced using natural composites, which are generally based on polyester or polypropylene resin and fibers such as flax, hemp, kenaf, or sisal. The automotive industry’s adoption of natural fiber composites is led by price, weight reduction, and marketing incentives rather than technical demands. The range of products is no longer restricted to interior and non-structural components such as door panels or rear shelves.

In terms of value shipment, Europe is expected to continue its dominance with more than 50% of the worldwide market. North America is expected to be the second-largest region and ROW third in terms of value shipment by 2016.

Lucintel’s report provides detailed trend and forecast data for the natural fiber composites market; specifically, forecasts for material and end product applications from 2011?2016. The report analyzes the drivers leading the demand in the natural fiber composites market, recent developments, Porter’s Five Forces model for the market, growth opportunities in natural fiber composites in applications, and more.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on this timely, insightful report, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at helpdesk@lucintel.com. Lucintel provides cutting-edge decision support services that help facilitate critical decisions with greater speed, insight, and cost efficiency. To find out more, please visit www.lucintel.com

Huntsman to Further Expand Multifunctional Epoxy Resins Capacity and Capability

Huntsman Corporation informed about a major step towards expanding one of its key product lines by launching a multi-million dollar in-depth engineering study at its McIntosh, Alabama facility. Huntsman's expanded multifunctional resins capacity will serve the current and future needs of its customers in the aerospace and composite industries. Once completed, the new line will further boost global production of all types of multifunctional epoxy resins.

James Huntsman, President Advanced Materials Division, said, "Demand for multifunctional epoxy resins, as a replacement for aluminum and other materials and the forecasted needs of the aerospace industry are major factors influencing this decision. We are committed to our valued customers in the aerospace and high-end composite industries."

Huntsman continued, "These investments will bring enormous benefit and value to our customers around the world, helping them address some of the engineering challenges they face over the coming years to produce lighter, more efficient materials. I am also delighted this project will create hundreds of jobs at our McIntosh site."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Lucintel’s Report Outlines Double-Digit Growth for Carbon Fiber Industry: Market to Reach US Dollar 2.8 Billion By 2016

The global carbon fiber market has experienced significant growth over the last five years and is expected to continue its growth momentum and reach approximately US $2.8 billion by 2016 with a CAGR of 12% over the next five years.

Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm with thousands of clients, analyzes the global carbon fiber market and presents all findings in “Growth Opportunities in the Global Carbon Fiber Market 2011-2016” report.

Lucintel’s research indicates great demand for carbon fiber driven by new commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A380, and A350 XWB; weight reductions in automobiles for greater performance and fuel efficiency; and growing use of carbon fiber in wind energy and offshore oil and gas development.

The global carbon fiber market’s anticipated double-digit growth through 2016 will be led by industrial and aerospace markets; however, the sporting goods market is likely to witness the lowest growth of 3.0%. The industrial market will be driven by wind energy, CNG tanks, civil structures, transportation, and various compound applications in the electrical and electronics industry. Carbon fibers prices expected to remain same because of supply demand stability over the next five years, however; greater competition from offshore suppliers such as from China and India, may ultimately drive down the cost of end products.

Research by Lucintel indicates brand loyalty will wane as industry fundamentals move toward a low-cost-to-serve model and new carbon fiber suppliers from several developing regions emerge.

The report provides trend scenarios during 2005-2010 and forecast statistics for 2011–2016; details the industry’s drivers and challenges; compares properties and prices; and highlights major carbon fiber suppliers. The report also describes the manufacturing process of carbon fiber, and more.

Additionally, another new Lucintel research report, “Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study, 2011” examines and profiles seven of the world's leading carbon fiber producers. This report offers a full competitive analysis from target markets to product mapping, and from selling strategy to production capabilities.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on these timely, insightful reports, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at helpdesk@lucintel.com. To learn more, visit http://www.lucintel.com.

About Lucintel
Lucintel, headquartered in Dallas, TX (USA), is a premier global market research and strategic management consulting firm, established for over ten years, with over 1000 clients worldwide. Lucintel provides actionable results that deliver significant added value and long term growth to clients from various industries such as aerospace consulting, Automotive Market, wind energy, sporting goods, composite materials, transportation and chemical consulting.

LANXESS Invests EUR 15 Million in Its Glass Fiber Plant in Antwerp

LANXESS is investing EUR 15 million in its glass fiber plant in the Antwerp docklands. For the specialty chemicals company glass fibers are a key intermediate for the production of high-tech plastics. With the expansion, the actual annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons will increase by 10 percent. The announcement was made during a LANXESS High-Tech Plastics Day at the facilities for caprolactam and glass fibers in Belgium. With the investment the glass fiber plant will replace both furnaces.

“The high-tech plastics business is a major growth driver for LANXESS. There is attractive business potential in the global market arising from the increasing demand for modern mobility as well as from the electric and electronic markets,” stated Werner Breuers, member of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG. The global demand for high-tech plastics is expected to increase by roughly seven percent per year through 2020.

Just before summer an investment project of EUR 35 million to expand the production of the plastic intermediate caprolactam at the site in the Antwerp docklands was finalized. The production capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year will be increased by another 10 percent.

LANXESS has been investing substantial amounts in the expansion of its global production network for high-tech plastics during the last 18 months. Including the glass fibers expansion, recent investments for high-tech plastics account for EUR 90 million. LANXESS’ Semi-Crystalline Products (SCP) business unit is a leading supplier of premium high-tech plastics. New compounding facilities are being built in the United States and Asia. In the existing compounding plants investments are being made to increase capacity.